U.S. patent application number 13/860691 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-16 for touch module with liquid crystal lens and display apparatus having the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to HANNSTAR DISPLAY CORP.. The applicant listed for this patent is HANNSTAR DISPLAY CORP.. Invention is credited to FENG-WEEI KUO, KUN-CHENG LEE, I-FANG WANG, HSU-HO WU, CHIA-HUA YU.
Application Number | 20140015775 13/860691 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49913571 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140015775 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WU; HSU-HO ; et al. |
January 16, 2014 |
TOUCH MODULE WITH LIQUID CRYSTAL LENS AND DISPLAY APPARATUS HAVING
THE SAME
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a touch module with liquid
crystal lens that includes only two transparent substrates, a touch
sensing conductive pattern, a liquid crystal light valve conductive
pattern, a shielding conductive layer, an insulating layer and a
liquid crystal layer. The touch sensing conductive pattern is
formed on the lower surface of the first transparent substrate. The
liquid crystal light valve conductive pattern is formed on the
upper surface of the second transparent substrate. The shielding
conductive layer is formed under the first transparent substrate.
The insulating layer is formed between the first transparent
substrate and the shielding conductive layer and covers the touch
sensing conductive pattern to insulate the touch sensing conductive
pattern from the shielding conductive layer. The liquid crystal
layer is positioned between the shield conductive layer and the
second transparent substrate.
Inventors: |
WU; HSU-HO; (TAINAN CITY,
TW) ; YU; CHIA-HUA; (NEW TAIPEI CITY, TW) ;
LEE; KUN-CHENG; (TAINAN CITY, TW) ; WANG; I-FANG;
(CHANGHUA COUNTY, TW) ; KUO; FENG-WEEI; (PINGTUNG
COUNTY, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HANNSTAR DISPLAY CORP. |
NEW TAIPEI CITY |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
HANNSTAR DISPLAY CORP.
New Taipei City
TW
|
Family ID: |
49913571 |
Appl. No.: |
13/860691 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20130101;
G06F 2203/04107 20130101; G06F 3/0412 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/173 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 16, 2012 |
CN |
201210246345.6 |
Claims
1. A touch module with liquid crystal lens, comprising: only two
transparent substrates defined as a first transparent substrate and
a second transparent substrate, respectively, the first transparent
substrate being positioned above the second transparent substrate,
the first transparent substrate having an upper surface and a lower
surface, the second transparent substrate having an upper surface
and a lower surface; a touch sensing conductive pattern formed on
the lower surface of the first transparent substrate; a liquid
crystal light valve conductive pattern formed on the upper surface
of the second transparent substrate; a shielding conductive layer
formed under the first transparent substrate; an insulating layer
formed between the first transparent substrate and the shielding
conductive layer, the insulating layer covering the touch sensing
conductive pattern to insulate the touch sensing conductive pattern
from the shielding conductive layer; and a liquid crystal layer
positioned between the shield conductive layer and the second
transparent substrate.
2. A display apparatus, comprising: a display; and a touch module
with liquid crystal lens as claimed in claim 1, disposed on the
display.
3. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the touch
module with liquid crystal lens is bonded with the display with an
adhesive material.
4. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising
a first polarizer positioned above the display.
5. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first
polarizer is positioned above the touch module with liquid crystal
lens.
6. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first
polarizer is positioned between the display and the touch module
with liquid crystal lens.
7. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first
polarizer is bonded with the display with an adhesive material.
8. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first
polarizer is bonded with the touch module with liquid crystal lens
with an adhesive material.
9. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the display
is one selected from the group consisting of cathode ray tube (CRT)
display, plasma display, organic light-emitting diode (OLED)
display, and liquid crystal display.
10. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising
a second polarizer positioned under the display.
11. A touch module with liquid crystal lens, comprising: only two
transparent substrates defined as a first transparent substrate and
a second transparent substrate, respectively, the first transparent
substrate being positioned above the second transparent substrate,
the first transparent substrate having an upper surface and a lower
surface, the second transparent substrate having an upper surface
and a lower surface; a touch sensing conductive pattern formed on
the lower surface of the first transparent substrate; a shielding
conductive layer formed on the upper surface of the second
transparent substrate; a liquid crystal light valve conductive
pattern formed under the first transparent substrate; an insulating
layer formed between the first transparent substrate and the liquid
crystal light valve conductive pattern, the insulating layer
covering the touch sensing conductive pattern to insulate the touch
sensing conductive pattern from the liquid crystal light valve
conductive pattern; and a liquid crystal layer positioned between
the shield conductive layer and the insulating layer.
12. A display apparatus, comprising: a display; and a touch module
with liquid crystal lens as claimed in claim 11, disposed on the
display.
13. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the touch
module with liquid crystal lens is bonded with the display with an
adhesive material.
14. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further
comprising a first polarizer positioned above the display.
15. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first
polarizer is positioned above the touch module with liquid crystal
lens.
16. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first
polarizer is positioned between the display and the touch module
with liquid crystal lens.
17. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first
polarizer is bonded with the display with an adhesive material.
18. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first
polarizer is bonded with the touch module with liquid crystal lens
with an adhesive material.
19. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
display is one selected from the group consisting of cathode ray
tube (CRT) display, plasma display, organic light-emitting diode
(OLED) display, and liquid crystal display.
20. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further
comprising a second polarizer positioned under the display.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of China Patent
Application Serial Number 201210246345.6 filed Jul. 16, 2012, the
full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The disclosure relates to a touch module and a display
apparatus having the touch module, and more particularly, to a
touch module with liquid crystal lens and a display apparatus
having the touch module.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Today many of cell phones and almost all of tablet computers
are provided with touch sensing function. Some of these devices are
further provided with stereoscopic display function.
[0006] Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional display apparatus 100
with function of touch sensing and stereoscopic display at least
includes a display 110, a liquid crystal lens unit 120 and a touch
panel 130. A polarizer 142 is positioned on the display 110. The
liquid crystal lens unit 120 is bonded with the polarizer 142 by an
adhesive material 144, such as optical clear adhesive (OCA) or
double coated tape. The liquid crystal lens unit 120 is configured
to make the images generated by the display 110 stereoscopic and
has an upper substrate 122, a lower substrate 124 and a liquid
crystal layer 125 sandwiched between the upper and lower substrates
122, 124. A plurality of electrodes 126 is formed on a lower
surface of the upper substrate 122. A continuous and non-patterned
electrode layer 128 is formed on an upper surface of the lower
substrate 124 and functions as a counter electrode of the
electrodes 126. The touch panel 130 is configured to sense touches
thereon. The touch panel 130 is positioned above the liquid crystal
lens unit 120 and includes a cover lens 132 and a substrate 134. A
conductive pattern 136 is formed on a lower surface of the cover
lens 132 to determine the positions of touches on the cover lens
132. A shielding conductive layer 138 is formed on an upper surface
of the substrate 134 to shield the conductive pattern 136 from
electromagnetic interference. In addition, an insulating layer 135
is positioned between the conductive pattern 136 and shielding
conductive layer 138 to insulate the conductive pattern 136 and the
shielding conductive layer 138 from each other.
[0007] The above display apparatus 100 includes additional the
liquid crystal lens unit 120 and touch panel 130, and therefore is
thicker and heavier than common displays.
[0008] Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a solution to
solve the aforesaid problems.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present disclosure provides a touch module with liquid
crystal lens that is more lightweight and smaller than conventional
ones.
[0010] In first embodiment, the touch module with liquid crystal
lens according to the present disclosure includes only two
transparent substrates, a touch sensing conductive pattern, a
liquid crystal light valve conductive pattern, a shielding
conductive layer, an insulating layer and a liquid crystal layer.
The only two transparent substrates are defined as a first
transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate,
respectively. The first transparent substrate is positioned above
the second transparent substrate. The touch sensing conductive
pattern is formed on the lower surface of the first transparent
substrate. The liquid crystal light valve conductive pattern is
formed on the upper surface of the second transparent substrate.
The shielding conductive layer is formed under the first
transparent substrate. The insulating layer is formed between the
first transparent substrate and the shielding conductive layer and
covers the touch sensing conductive pattern to insulate the touch
sensing conductive pattern from the shielding conductive layer. The
liquid crystal layer is positioned between the shield conductive
layer and the second transparent substrate.
[0011] In second embodiment, the touch module with liquid crystal
lens according to the present disclosure includes only two
transparent substrates, a touch sensing conductive pattern, a
liquid crystal light valve conductive pattern, a shielding
conductive layer, an insulating layer and a liquid crystal layer.
The only two transparent substrates are defined as a first
transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate,
respectively. The first transparent substrate is positioned above
the second transparent substrate. The touch sensing conductive
pattern is formed on the lower surface of the first transparent
substrate. The shielding conductive layer is formed on the upper
surface of the second transparent substrate. The liquid crystal
light valve conductive pattern is formed under the first
transparent substrate. The insulating layer is formed between the
first transparent substrate and the liquid crystal light valve
conductive pattern and covers the touch sensing conductive pattern
to insulate the touch sensing conductive pattern from the liquid
crystal light valve conductive pattern. The liquid crystal layer is
positioned between the shield conductive layer and the insulating
layer.
[0012] The present disclosure further provides a display apparatus
with the above touch module in the first embodiment. The touch
module with liquid crystal lens is positioned above a display.
[0013] The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and
advantages of the disclosure will be more readily apparent from the
following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional display
apparatus with function of touch sensing and stereoscopic
display.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the touch module with liquid
crystal lens according to the first embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the touch module with liquid
crystal lens according to the second embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the display apparatus
according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the display apparatus
according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the display apparatus
according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the display apparatus
according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the display apparatus
according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the display apparatus
according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, the touch module 200 with liquid
crystal lens according to the first embodiment of the present
disclosure includes only two transparent substrates 210, 220 and a
liquid crystal layer 250. The transparent substrate 210 may be a
glass substrate and a liquid crystal light valve conductive pattern
230 is formed on an upper surface 212 of the transparent substrate
210. The liquid crystal light valve conductive pattern 230 may be
made of transparent indium tin oxide (ITO). The transparent
substrate 220 forms a cover lens 220 and is positioned above the
transparent substrate 210. A touch sensing conductive pattern 240
made of transparent indium tin oxide is formed on a lower surface
224 of the transparent substrate 220. An insulating layer 260 is
formed under the transparent substrate 220 to cover the touch
sensing conductive pattern 240. In addition, a shielding conductive
layer 270 made of transparent indium tin oxide is formed on a lower
surface 264 of the insulating layer 260. The shielding conductive
layer 270 is continuous and has no gap to expose the insulating
layer 260. The liquid crystal layer 250 is positioned between a
lower surface 274 of the shielding conductive layer 270 and the
upper surface 212 of the transparent substrate 210.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, the touch module 300 with liquid
crystal lens according to the second embodiment of the present
disclosure includes all the elements of the touch module 200
described in the first embodiment, where identical reference
numbers have been used when designating substantially identical
elements that are common to the figures. The arrangements of the
elements of the touch module 300 are substantially the same as the
arrangements of the elements of the touch module 200. However, in
this embodiment the liquid crystal light valve conductive pattern
230 is formed on the lower surface 264 of the insulating layer 260
and the shielding conductive layer 270 is formed on the upper
surface 212 of the transparent substrate 210. Furthermore, the
liquid crystal layer 250 is positioned between the lower surface
264 of the insulating layer 260 and an upper surface 272 of the
shielding conductive layer 270 in this embodiment.
[0025] According to the touch modules 200, 300 of the present
disclosure, the touch sensing conductive patterns 240 formed on the
lower surfaces 224 of the transparent substrates 220 are configured
to sense touches of users' fingers on the transparent substrates
220. The insulating layers 260 are configured to insulate the touch
sensing conductive patterns 240 and the shielding conductive layers
270 from each other, and the shielding conductive layers 270 are
configured to shield the touch sensing conductive patterns 240 from
the electromagnetic interferences caused by the elements positioned
below. In addition, the shielding conductive layers 270 may
function as counter electrodes of the liquid crystal light valve
conductive patterns 230. The liquid crystal light valve conductive
patterns 230 are configured to control the alignment of the liquid
crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layers 250 so as to make
the images generated by a display stereoscopic.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 4, the display apparatus 400 according to
the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes the touch
module 200 of FIG. 2, a display 480 and a polarizer 490. The touch
module 200 is positioned above the display 480 and these two
elements are bonded together with an adhesive material 495, such as
optical clear adhesive or double coated tape. The polarizer 490 is
positioned above the touch module 200.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 5, the display apparatus 500 according to
the second embodiment of the present disclosure also includes the
touch module 200, display 480 and polarizer 490. However, according
to the display apparatus 500 in this embodiment the polarizer 490
is positioned above the display 480 and these two elements are
bonded together with the adhesive material 495. The touch module
200 is positioned above the polarizer 490.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 6, the display apparatus 600 according to
the third embodiment of the present disclosure also includes the
touch module 200, display 480 and polarizer 490. However, according
to the display apparatus 600 in this embodiment the polarizer 490
is positioned above the display 480. The touch module 200 is
positioned above the polarizer 490 and these two elements are
bonded together with the adhesive material 495.
[0029] According to the display apparatus 400, 500, 600 of the
present disclosure, the displays 480 may be any types of displays
that may function well without equipping with any of polarizers.
For example, the displays 480 may be cathode ray tube (CRT)
displays, plasma displays or organic light-emitting diode (OLED)
displays. In addition, the polarizers 490 may be located basically
at any positions above the displays 480. For example, the
polarizers 490 may be positioned above the touch modules 200 or
between the touch modules 200 and the displays 480. The touch
modules 200 not only sense touches on the transparent substrates
220 but make the images generated by the displays 480 stereoscopic
with the function of the polarizers 490.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 7, the display apparatus 700 according to
the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure includes the touch
module 200 of FIG. 2, a liquid crystal display 780 and two
polarizers 792, 794. The liquid crystal display 780 at least
includes a liquid crystal layer 785 sandwiched between an upper
transparent substrate 782 and a lower transparent substrate 784.
The polarizer 794 is positioned under the lower transparent
substrate 784. The touch module 200 is positioned above the liquid
crystal display 780 and these two elements are bonded together with
an adhesive material 795, such as optical clear adhesive or double
coated tape. The polarizer 792 is positioned above the touch module
200.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 8, the display apparatus 800 according to
the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure also includes the
touch module 200, liquid crystal display 780 and polarizers 792,
794. The polarizer 794 is also positioned under the lower
transparent substrate 784 of the liquid crystal display 780.
However, according to the display apparatus 800 in this embodiment,
the polarizer 792 is positioned above the liquid crystal display
780 and these two elements are bonded together with the adhesive
material 795. The touch module 200 is positioned above the
polarizer 792.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 9, the display apparatus 900 according to
the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure also includes the
touch module 200, liquid crystal display 780 and polarizers 792,
794. The polarizer 794 is also positioned under the lower
transparent substrate 784 of the liquid crystal display 780.
However, according to the display apparatus 900 in this embodiment,
the polarizer 792 is positioned above the liquid crystal display
780. The touch module 200 is positioned above the polarizer 792 and
these two elements are bonded together with the adhesive material
795.
[0033] According to the display apparatus 700, 800, 900 of the
present disclosure, the liquid crystal displays 780 may generate
images in the existence of the polarizers 792, 794. The touch
modules 200 not only sense touches on the transparent substrates
220 but make the images generated by the liquid crystal displays
780 stereoscopic with the function of the polarizers 792. In
addition, the polarizers 792 may be located basically at any
positions above the liquid crystal displays 780. For example, the
polarizers 792 may be positioned above the touch modules 200 or
between the touch modules 200 and the liquid crystal displays
780.
[0034] According to the present disclosure, the liquid crystal lens
units 120 are integrated with the touch panels 130 to form the
touch module 200 or touch module 300 of the present disclosure.
There is no need to configure any transparent substrates between
the transparent substrates 210 and 220. Therefore, the thickness
and weight of the touch modules 200, 300 are smaller than the
combinations of the conventional liquid crystal lens unit 120 and
touch panel 130 because of the reduction of two transparent
substrates. The modules 200, 300 are very in favor of use in mobile
display devices.
[0035] Although the preferred embodiments of the disclosure have
been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the disclosure as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *